Pharynx aspiration device for minimizing infectious particle exposure during endonasal surgeries

Abstract

A method for minimizing infectious particle exposure during endonasal surgeries includes the steps of: introducing an aspiration device through a mouth of a patient and positioning a distal tip within the nasopharynx space, the aspiration device comprising an elongated balloon catheter having an inflatable balloon located within a distal region thereof and a distal aspiration port that is positioned distal to the balloon; inflating the balloon so that the balloon occupies the nasopharynx space; and aspirating any infectious particles within the nasopharynx space via the distal aspiration port.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A nasopharynx aspiration device for minimizing infectious particle exposure during endonasal surgeries comprising: an elongated balloon catheter having an inflatable balloon located within a distal region thereof and a distal aspiration port that is positioned distal to the balloon, the distal aspiration port defining a distal end of the nasopharynx aspiration device, wherein the distal aspiration port includes a superior aerosol aspirator for aspirating infectious aerosol particles and an inferior liquid/solid aspirator for aspirating liquid and/or solid particles, wherein the superior aerosol aspirator comprises a tubular structure with a plurality of first openings formed circumferentially along a side wall of the tubular structure and the inferior liquid/solid aspirator comprises an expandable sheath that extends radially beyond the superior aerosol aspirator and includes a plurality of second openings formed therein, the expandable sheath being attached at a distal end to the elongated balloon catheter at a location that is proximal to the superior aerosol aspirator so as to position all of the plurality of first openings distal to the inferior liquid/solid aspirator, the expandable sheath being attached at a proximal end to the balloon, the expandable sheath being expandable under inflation of the balloon resulting in a headspace being defined between the balloon and the expandable sheath, the plurality of second openings being in fluid communication with the headspace for collecting the liquid and/or solid particles. 
     
     
       2. The nasopharynx aspiration device of  claim 1 , wherein the expandable sheath covers less than 50% of a surface area of the balloon. 
     
     
       3. The nasopharynx aspiration device of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of first openings and the plurality of second openings are in fluid communication with a common aspiration lumen. 
     
     
       4. The nasopharynx aspiration device of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of first openings are in fluid communication with a first aspiration lumen and the plurality of second openings are in fluid communication with a second aspiration lumen that is independent and separate from the first aspiration lumen. 
     
     
       5. The nasopharynx aspiration device of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the distal aspiration port is located distal to a distal end of the elongated balloon catheter. 
     
     
       6. The nasopharynx aspiration device of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated balloon catheter has one or more holes that are in fluid communication with the headspace and provide an entrance into an aspiration lumen formed in the elongated balloon catheter. 
     
     
       7. The nasopharynx aspiration device of  claim 6 , wherein the one or more holes are formed through the elongated balloon catheter at a location between a distal end of the balloon and the distal end of the expandable sheath. 
     
     
       8. The nasopharynx aspiration device of  claim 1 , wherein the balloon and the expandable sheath are formed of an elastomeric polymer. 
     
     
       9. The nasopharynx aspiration device of  claim 1 , wherein the tubular structure has a diameter that is less than a diameter of the elongated balloon catheter. 
     
     
       10. The nasopharynx aspiration device of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of second openings comprises an elongated slot formed in the expandable sheath that extend radially outward from the distal end of the expandable sheath toward the proximal end of the expandable sheath. 
     
     
       11. The nasopharynx aspiration device of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of second openings are formed circumferentially within the expandable sheath. 
     
     
       12. The nasopharynx aspiration device of  claim 1 , wherein the headspace has an annular shape. 
     
     
       13. The nasopharynx aspiration device of  claim 1 , wherein each second opening of the plurality of second openings is defined by a first area in a relaxed state of the expandable sheath and is defined by a greater second area in an expanded state of the expandable sheath.